Andrew Putnam named to faculty at Virginia Tech University

Andrew J. Putnam conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble at Virginia Tech and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting. He received his doctoral degree from the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, where he studied with Steven D. Davis. He previously earned the master of music education, studying with Colleen Conway and conducting with Michael Haithcock. Prior to his graduate work, he taught for five years at Whitnall High School in Greenfield, WI where he served as director of bands. This tenure followed the completion of a bachelor of music education degree at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. An advocate for the wind ensemble as an artistic medium, Dr. Putnam has shared in performances at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic as well as the regional and national conferences for the College Band Director’s National Association. Additional collaborative work with artistic leaders including composers John Corigliano, Robert Beaser, James Mobberley, and Paul Rudy, renowned wind conductor H. Robert Reynolds, and the 2011 Pulitzer Prize winner in music, Zhou Long. His work with Robert Beaser towards the completion of the wind ensemble setting of the composer’s Manhattan Roll (originally commissioned for 150^th anniversary of the New York Philharmonic) led to its premiere at the 2011 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. His recent research has centered on the personas of folk singers influencing the work of Percy Grainger, and wind ensemble works of Paul Hindemith.

Jeff Moore to lead UCF School of the Performing Arts

Jeff Moore will be the first director of the School of the Performing Arts at the University of Central Florida.

It's a new position for the school, part of UCF's College of Arts and Humanities, but Moore is a familiar face on campus. He was previously chairman of the music department.  

As director, Moore will be responsible for overseeing the college's music and theater departments and advancing the development of a new performing-arts center on UCF's east Orlando campus. Moore was appointed after a yearlong search from a pool of external and internal candidates.

"Jeff Moore is a visionary leader who brings dedication and a strong sense of mission to the School of Performing Arts," said Jose B. Fernández, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities. "His leadership style fosters a sense of stability while also encouraging people to think outside the box."

Moore will work on completing the merger of the theater and dance departments into one school, which includes creating a unified governance structure for the faculty and staff members, who number more than 50. His responsibilities also include identifying opportunities for integration and innovation in the school's programs and curriculum.

He will also collaborate with the UCF Foundation as it seeks funding for the new performing-arts center, which is currently designed to have four performance venues, costume and scenic shops, as well as rehearsal spaces.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the UCF School of Performing Arts. Throughout my career I have always enjoyed collaborating with faculty, students and our partners," Moore said. "This new position affords me the ability to expand on those activities while continuing to enhance our presence in the community and beyond. When you add the construction of Phase II of the UCF Performing Arts Center to this environment, it is a very exciting time for the performing arts at UCF."

A professor in the department of music, Moore received his master of music performance degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and holds a bachelor of music degree from the University of North Texas. He joined the UCF music faculty in 1994 where he taught and served as percussion coordinator. Active in all facets of percussion, he is an international lecturer, clinician and soloist. He is a contributing author to the third edition of "Teaching Percussion" and has published more than 30 arrangements and compositions including a method book and CD package.

Involved in national and international societies, Moore served as an associate editor of "Percussive Notes," the Percussive Arts Society's scholarly journal and was recently elected to the board of directors of that organization. A recognized expert in marching percussion, Moore has served as the percussion director of the internationally acclaimed Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, and as program consultant/percussion arranger with several European, Japanese, Thai and Indonesian drum corps and bands.

Active in the music industry, he serves as a consultant and artist endorser with several companies including Yamaha and has designed signature products with Pro-Mark.

August 26, 2013|Posted by Matthew J. Palm, Orlando Sentinel Arts Writer